As the Premier League’s matchday 19 approaches, an intriguing battle awaits at Portman Road on December 30th. Ipswich Town will host a high-flying Chelsea side. This match presents a stark contrast between a team fighting to establish itself in the top flight and one pushing for premier league glory.
The last competitive meeting between these teams was in January 2011, when Chelsea won the English FA Cup. That tie produced drama across both legs, with Chelsea winning by seven goals. Can history repeat itself? Let’s preview the contest and present our betting tips.
Ipswich vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Analysis
| General Details | Ipswich Lineup (Predicted) | Chelsea Lineup (Predicted) |
|---|---|---|
| Date: 30/12/2024 Time: 20:45 Stadium: Portman Road Stadium Where to watch: SuperSport 204 | Arijanet Muric Wes Burns Dara O’Shea Jacob Greaves Leif Davis Jens Cajuste Kalvin Phillips Omari Hutchinson Sammie Szmodics Jack Clarke Liam Delap | Robert Sanchez. Malo Gusto, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo. Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer. Pedro Neto, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho |
Historic Performances
First up, let’s analyze the historical records of this fixture to help reach a safe conclusion on who might win their Monday clash.
Recent Encounters
Examining the last five encounters between Ipswich and Chelsea across all competitions reveals Chelsea’s dominance. The Blues have secured four wins and one draw, with Ipswich failing to claim a single victory.
Ipswich’s last triumph over Chelsea was in 1993. This historical advantage is likely to bolster Chelsea’s confidence as they aim to secure another three points in this fixture.
Key Factors Influencing the Match
After previewing the history of their meetings, we will highlight both teams’ recent performance and reveal their important squad players. This will allow us to conclude the likely outcome of their upcoming match.
Previous Match
The hosts face a significant challenge as they continue their Premier League journey. Their defensive record has been particularly concerning, with only one clean sheet recorded this season and over 25 goals conceded. However, judging their season solely on these statistics would be overly simplistic.
Under Kieran McKenna’s leadership, Ipswich have shown admirable qualities despite their struggles. An interesting paradox in Ipswich’s season has been the contrast between their home and away form.
Their recent 4-0 home defeat to Newcastle United highlighted their difficulties at Portman Road. Surprisingly, their only two league victories this season have come on their travels, with impressive wins at Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Their away points tally (8) doubles their home return (4) in the 2024-25 campaign.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s current standing speaks volumes about their transformation this season. Positioned second in the Premier League with 34 points from 16 matches, they’ve established themselves as genuine title contenders. Their impressive record of 10 victories, four draws, and just two losses demonstrates remarkable consistency.
Chelsea’s goal difference of +18 ranks among the league’s best, indicating their all-around strength. Their most recent Premier League match, a goalless draw at Everton, showed a different side to their character. While they couldn’t find the breakthrough, their ability to secure a point away from home when not at their attacking best demonstrates their maturity and resilience.
Players
Arijanet Muric, formerly of Manchester City and Burnley, now anchors Ipswich Town’s defense as they brace for a challenging fixture against Chelsea. Renowned for his composure and shot-stopping, Muric will play a pivotal role in this high-stakes encounter. Ipswich will miss Liam Delap, who returns from suspension for this match, while George Hirst remains sidelined with a knee issue.
Additionally, injuries to Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) have weakened their right flank. Despite Taylor’s standout performance last weekend, Jens-Lys Cajuste and Sam Morsy will likely retain their starting spots.
Chelsea, bolstered by their attacking trio of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku, are expected to dominate offensively. Their defense, led by the returning Marc Cucurella, has also displayed strong form.
However, they remain without Wesley Fofana and Reece James (hamstring injuries), while Mykhaylo Mudryk faces an extended absence following a doping charge.
Home Advantage
Ipswich’s biggest challenge this season has been their disappointing home record. With no wins, four draws, and five defeats at Portman Road, they’ve struggled to turn their ground into the stronghold needed for a relegation battle.
In contrast, Chelsea have excelled away from home, boasting six wins, one draw, and just one loss on their travels. This impressive form on the road has been pivotal to their title ambitions, and they’ll aim to extend that streak against Ipswich.
Betting Tips
After giving the updates about their recent performance, let’s lay out our betting tips for Nigerian Bettors for the Ipswich vs. Chelsea match:
Betting Odds
Here are the latest figures from popular bookmakers on neither team’s chances to win, draw, or lose:
Ipswich to Win – 6.25 | Draw – 4.75 | Chelsea to Win – 1.42
Bookmakers heavily back Chelsea for another away victory, with the struggling Ipswich seen as the underdog. There’s almost a 21% chance of a draw outcome. However, the Blues will enjoy another emphatic victory due to this brilliant momentum.
Final Thoughts on the Match
This match pits two teams with contrasting ambitions. Chelsea’s superior quality, solid away record, and outstanding recent form firmly establish them as favorites. While Ipswich’s desperation for points and home-ground advantage may fuel their determination, they will unlikely overcome Maresca’s well-drilled side.
Samuel Okunsolawo is an iGaming expert with over six years of experience in content writing. His passion for simplifying complex concepts makes his articles accessible and useful for beginners and experts alike. With a focus on sports betting trends and reliable betting sites, Samuel’s articles are an excellent resource for those seeking guidance and staying up to date in the world of iGaming.